Metabolomic Shifts in Pea Shoots: Unraveling the Impact of Light Intensity and Zinc Biofortification
Research Poster Health & Life Sciences 2025 Graduate ExhibitionPresentation by Pradip Poudel
Exhibition Number 82
Abstract
Zinc (Zn)-enriched microgreens, developed through agronomic biofortification, offer a potential solution to address Zn deficiency, which affects 17% of the global population. Previous studies have demonstrated that fertigation with a Zn-enriched nutrient solution, coupled with exposure to different light intensities during microgreen production, can boost Zn content by up to fivefold while improving overall nutritional quality. However, the impact of these agronomic biofortification strategies on the metabolomic profile of microgreens remains largely unexplored. This study investigated the metabolic responses of Zn-enriched pea microgreens grown under different ZnSO concentrations (0, 5, 10, and 15 mg/L) and light intensities (100, 200, 300, and 400 µmol/m²/s Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density) using targeted metabolomics. Higher light intensities stimulated flavonoid, phenolic acid and vitamin C biosynthesis, likely due to oxidative stress and photoinhibition. Zn enrichment increased the accumulation of sulfur-containing and branched-chain amino acids, along with oxalic acid, which may contribute to metal detoxification. Overall, light intensity emerged as the primary driver of metabolic shifts across various metabolite classes, exerting a more pronounced influence than Zn application. These findings provide valuable insights into optimizing Zn biofortification strategies while enhancing the nutritional and functional quality of microgreens, with implications for human health and sustainable functional food production.
Importance
Zinc-enriched microgreens offer a simple and effective way to improve nutrition and address global Zn deficiency. This study examines how different Zn levels and light intensities affect the nutritional makeup of pea microgreens. Results show that light plays a bigger role than Zn in shaping nutrient levels, influencing compounds linked to stress response. Understanding these effects helps fine-tune growing conditions to maximize health benefits. By optimizing Zn enrichment and light exposure, this research supports the production of more nutritious microgreens. It provides a practical approach for growing healthier foods while promoting sustainable farming practices, making nutrient-rich microgreens more accessible for improved human health.